Spring Conference on Worship in the church

 

This weekend, we had a special treat with a small group that come from Memphis, TN to lead us in a spring conference. My church here in Germany, Neuenburg International Church (NIC), has a fall conference and a spring conference every year. Their fall conference is usually in the Black Forest somewhere for a weekend in October. Their spring conference is typically held at the church in March. 

With a full teaching schedule, I find it difficult at times to get away for a weekend as I want to just be an introvert, hole up in my apartment, and recharge from the week and get ready for the next one. :) 

This year, for the spring conference, they planned a Friday evening session for anyone, a Saturday morning breakfast session for the men, and a Saturday afternoon session for the women. I signed up for the Friday evening and Saturday afternoon and am so glad I did! 

Friday evening, we had a wine tasting along with a collection of cheeses, nuts, veggies, bread, etc. to go with the 4 different wine tastings. A gentleman from a local winery was there to introduce the wine and share information about each in English and in German. In between these tastings, we had our sessions on worship along with some singing. We began our time together with prayer and singing, "I love you, Lord" which was lovely. The gentleman in the green coat led our time together and sang beautifully! He is a worship minister at his church and is opera trained. His brother played the piano and guitar and another gentleman friend of theirs from their church also plays guitar and the banjo. 

Here is a little sample from Friday night. 

Saturday afternoon, I and my friend, Becky, drove to our pastor's house and enjoyed kaffee (tea for us) and cake and heard more about what woship looks like in the home. Our leader shared the impact that his parents (including his mother) had on his love of singing as a boy and how it has impacted him as an adult and in his relationship with the Lord. One thing that stuck out to me was for parents to be encouraged to lead their family in devotions in the home. And encouraging them that now is always a good time to re-start devotions. What he had to say spoke to me as a single person as well. I spend time with God in the mornings with reading scripture and time in prayer. I also spend time in God's Word after work as I have Bible study homework to complete. Recently, I have begun spending time in the evening as well; reading a devotional, praying, and singing a hymn. I have a hymnal that I found at the BFA book swap a few years ago and it has been a treasure. I used to have a hymnal from the church in Watertown where I grew up but it has become lost in some of my moves over the past several years. 

The three pics above are from Saturday afternoon. I'm on the left in all the pictures in a light pink sweater with my hair up. :)

This morning (Sunday), these three gentlemen led us in worship. They played an anthem and sang just as our service began and led us in all of our music this morning. Was it ever incredible! I have loved every moment of our singing in worship this weekend! It was a small earthly taste of what we will be doing in eternity as we sing praises to our Lord! I will leave you with this passage in Revelation 5:11-14, 'Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" and the elders fell down and worshiped.'

The first video below is from this morning (Sunday) and the second is from Friday evening.

6th grade explorations with the Periodic Table

I am so thankful for my years of teaching Science 7 as it has prepared me to teach Science 5 and 6! I can see what students are learning now and where they are going in the next year or two. 

We have been exploring the Periodic Table with readings, a few videos, whiteboard practice, and some fun hands on activities! And a little research too! 

In the photo above, one of my students formed the word 'SeCoNd BReAcKFAsTe' with the Periodic Table which I though was creative to snapped a photo. 

We have been learning all about the atom and the different elements in the Periodic Table. What the atomic number means, atomic mass, how to find the number of protons, neutrons, electrons, what are the energy shells, what the valence electrons are and drew examples on whiteboards so we could get ready for....

creating atoms with candy! Who doesn't want to do that!? I love finding creative activities from Teachers Pay Teachers that I can use in my classroom. We used red and green skittles for the protons and neutrons and white Tic-Tacs for the electrons. I assigned each student a certain element and they created the atom with the candy then drew the atom after getting their candy version checked by me. They also answered some refective questions on the back based off their atom and all its parts. 

Students also each chose an element to do a mini research project giving the atomic number, atomic mass, number of protons, neutrons, electrons, energy shells, and valence number along with some interesting facts, where their element is found in nature, etc. I provided some books from the library and a link to the Brittanica site from our library to help with their research. Finally, we have been creating Lewis Dot diagrams with the valence electrons and using those to create formulas which has been really fun! I love when students are understanding what we are doing and enjoying the process of learning. Next week, we will review to take our test then step into a new chapter. 

2026 Olympics: In and out of the classroom

 Growing up, we didn't watch the Olympics. It just wasn't something that we, as a family, did together. I remember bring at a friend's house when I was in my early 20's and they were watching the Olympics. I enjoyed watching the downhill skiing and figure skating with them. When I came to BFA, I met up with friends who love the Olympics and watch their favorite competitions while cheering on their favorite countries. I have come to enjoy watching the Olympics much more in recent years. This year, I have loved watching all of the figure skating on a German site. I can watch for free and all of the narration is in German so I get lots of German practice where I am trying to figure out what is being said. It's been really fun to watch and I love that I can go in and watch the competitions that I want! So different from watching only what the tv station chose for us to watch back in the late 90's and early 2000's! My friends I mentioned earlier didn't have cable. ;)

This past week, my 5th graders competed in Measurement Olympics! We have been learning about measurment with distance, temperature, capacity, area, volume, and density. In the 5th and 6th grade Science curriculum, the 6th lesson in a chapter always has students doing hands-on activities that has them using the information that they have been learning in the first 5 lessons. 

Our first activities in Measurement Olymics were our distance events. We had a 5 meter shuttle run, a 5 meter by 1 meter chalk box where we did long jumping, another starting line where we did a discuss throw (with paper plates that unfortunately the wind was taking off with) and a shotput (with a straw and q-tip). The students partnered up to go through the events together. They timed their shuttle runs and used meter sticks to measure the distance of their jumps, shotputs, and discuss throws. The longjump was their favorite with the shuttle runs coming in a close second. I would say the discuss throw was their least favorite as there was just enough breeze that took their paper plates off to the side. Check out the pics below for our distance events! 

Our second and part of a third day was spent in doing some area and volume activities. Students made boats from tin foil, paper and toothpick for a sail and with a partner blew their boat across a tub of water. They then measured the length and width of the tub to find the surface area then found the height and multiplied to find the volume of the tub. 

As an intorduction to our last lesson in our unit, they placed their boats back in the water and used some coins (one at a time) to sink their boats. They then aswered questions like how many coins sunk their boats and why. 

Another of our Measurement Olympics events is measuring out a snack which is great fun! They have to measure out 5 dry ingredients for a snack in mL and in grams. We also make a drink, let it sit at room temperature and measure the temperature of the liquid before adding ice then checking the temperature again to see how it has changed. 

While this was loads of fun, it does take time to put together. There never seems to be enough time to get all of the activities completed. And I would like to revisit the snack-making and think through how to make that go more smoothly. The purpose of these activities is for students to learn, use the measuring skills they have been learning about and complete some enjoyable activites with them! Which they did! Goal accomplished! 

Two Stories from Jesus and Peter; A deeper dig

I host a small women's Bible study in my apartment every other Monday evening. We just finished a 1 Peter study by Jen Wilkins and to continue the theme of studying Peter, are now studying all things Peter! We have just began a new study called, "Anchored" by Marian Jordan Ellis. We listened to her introductory talk last Monday and I was working on day 2 of the first week's study this afternoon. She has a small "Digging Deeper" suggestion on the side for a journal idea and thought I would journal my response on my blog. :)

After reading March 2:1-12, I want to share what Peter observed, hear, learn, and feel according to what I am reading. I will do the same with Mark 5:1-20, then resond to both passages as to Jesus' power and authority displayed and how this shaped Peter's view of Jesus and how it shapes mine. 

Mark 2:1-12 tells the story of Jesus returning to Capernaum. People found out he was home and crowded around the house he was in to hear him teach. Four men carrying a paralytic tried to get through and being unsuccessful, they removed the roof and let him down on a bed. Jesus saw their faith and told the paralytic his sins were forgiven. The scribes secretly were judging Jesus in their hearts to which Jesus challenged them and then healed the man. The man picked up his bed and went out to the amazement of all there. 

What did Peter see, hear, learn, and feel? First, I think Peter saw the impact of Jesus ministry in the crowds. He saw the hunger people had for Jesus' teaching, healing and comfort. Would they have been quietly listening or would there have been small side conversations? He would have seen 4 (perhaps desperate men) attempting to push themselves and their paralytic friend through the crowd unsuccessfully. Did Peter see these men climb up a side staircase to the roof, pull off the roof to let their friend down? Or was Peter beside Jesus and noticed comotion coming from above as these men let their friend down? He would have seen Jesus respond and challenge the scribes who were questioning Jesus in their hearts. Peter saw Jesus heal another person, saw a man who could not walk, get up and walk. Even to carry his bed and walk away. Peter heard the crowds quietly listening to Jesus teach, he would have heard the four men removing the roof and letting their friend down, the man getting up, the amazement and praise of those watching say, "We never saw anything like this?" Peter learned that Jesus could not only heal, forgive sins, but knows our hearts. What we are thinking that no one else knows. He perhaps felt in awe and amazement along with the crowd at all he witnessed. 

Mark 5:1-20 is the story of Jesus and his disciples landing at the country of the Gerasenes and being confronted with a man with an unclean spirit. The demons in this man shout out to Jesus and ask him to send them into the pigs to which Jesus does just that. The man is healed, recovered and the people hear and come to see what had happened. They were afraid and send Jesus and his disciples away. 

Peter saw a demon possessed man, not just with one demon, but a whole legion run to Jesus and fell down before him. He would have seen a man in partial chains perhaps, dirty, smelly, with perhaps ragged clothing, with scabs and cuts on his skin. Peter would have seen a herd of pigs rush into the sea and drown. He would have seen the heardsmen run and people coming to see this strange sight. Peter would have seen this demon possessed man changed suddenly as those demons left him. Peter would have heard the voice of this man change perhaps as the demons left him. Peter would have heard the voice of Christ speaking to this man and the demons with authority. Peter learned that Jesus had authority over demons and could order them to go where he chose. I imagine Peter was again in awe of Jesus' authority over these demons. He perhaps felt fearful as this man first approached Jesus, even disgust? Perhaps amazement when the man was in his right mind? How drastically he may have changed! Perhaps anger and frustration when those nearby came and with fear, told them to leave. 

How is Jesus power and authority displayed in these passages? It can be so easy to read over this with glazed eyes as I have heard and read these stories so many times. But to stop and think that Jesus forgave a man's sins! He told this paralytic man that his sins were forgiven! He knew what the scribes were thinking! Their self-righteous disgust towards Jesus and challenged them! How their eyes must've bulged! He healed a man who could not walk! To the point that this man, who could not walk, stood up, picked up his bed (immediate strength and balance!) and walked out! Did the crowds part for him like the red sea? Jesus has authority over demons! He called for a legion of demons to come out of a man and sent them into a herd of pigs! 

How was Peter's view shaped by all of this!? Peter had already seen Jesus heal a man who was possessed by a demon, heal his mother-in-law, heal many others, get up early to be alone with God, preach in Galilee, heal a leper all in chapter 1 of Mark. The healing of the paralytic man and the man with the legion of demons would have been enough evidence that Jesus is God. Even though Mark doesn't say that Jesus stated this out loud yet to his disciples. In chapter 1, a demon possessed man said Jesus is the Holy One of God to which Jesus quickly shut him up. Did Peter hear this? Did this begin to sit in his thoughts and as he saw the authority and power of Jesus, did he wonder that he was the Son of God? 

How does this shape my view of Jesus? No question, Jesus is God. No one but God can forgive sins. Because I've grown up knowing that Jesus forgives sins, it can be easy to take it for granted. But when I stop and really think about it, how amazing it really is! That Jesus even forgave a man's sin before he went to the cross! He read the minds of the scribes and perfectly and justly challenged them! He called himself the Son of Man and states that he has authority on earth to forgive sins. Incredible! He sends demons out of a man! He has no fear when faced with the demonic. He can command them as he has authority over them. And when this man (who was demon possessed) asked to come with Jesus and his disciples, Jesus told this man to stay and share what he had seen and heard. Jesus' desire is for people to hear of what he has done, his mercy, and for people to marvel, repent, and trust their lives to him. Even as I read these testimonies of Jesus life, teaching, miracles, death, and resurrection, I know he is still working in the world today. In my life, and yours. He often times works in ways we can't see. "We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28. 

Photo credit: Growing Christians Ministries

Good intentions and realistic expectations

Last week was out of the norm as we had midterms for 7th and 8th grade. We had some free time where students could choose different activities to be involved in; games, a movie, quiet reading/coloring time, etc. We also had a time slot for each grade to create a skit based off a normal day at BFA. I was with the 6th graders. 

We had close to an hour to create a skit no longer than 4 minutes that they would put on the very next day during our middle school assembly. My 6th graders started off great! They posed several great ideas of which I was writing on the board. After about 20 minutes of great ideas, I suggested we move into actually settling on a few ideas and creating our skit to have time to run through it a few times. Well, they just kept listing ideas. 

Earlier in the semester, we had two false fire alarms and students chose their main idea to be the "real story" behind these false fire alarms. They decided they would make one of the stories about somebody who (you guessed it) farted. Then they were coming up with all kinds of farting stories and going down the silly tube fast! Another student was coming up with ideas like making a presentation that we could share with sound effects! We got to the point where we had 15 minutes to practice our skit and yet, didn't have a skit to practice! I had to nix the farting ideas. We went with two other ideas; burning magnesium ribbon in science class and having the steam from a water kettle (Bible class had hot cocoa before Christmas break) be our stories for setting off the alarm. We quickly practiced our skit through about one and a half times then called it good. They did a great job the next day! 

My 6th graders made me think of times I let my good intentions and sometimes silly ideas keep me from being realistic. I come up with great ideas when I am sipping my caffeine in the morning or on a fun run or ride. By the time the caffeine wears off or I get back home after my run or ride, I've either forgotten my idea(s) altogether or talk myself out of them. Sometimes my ideas are good ones and I should pursue them. 

Many people take their ideas and make New Year's Resolutions only to break them before they get to the end of January. I like to take my ideas and test-drive them so to speak to make sure I'm going to stick with them. For example, begin a new workout plan and let people know what I am doing when I am a few weeks in. At this point, I am invested and I know the chances of myself quitting are slim. So, you may wonder, am I going to share some new ideas or resolutions that I am stepping into for this next year? 

The answer is, I am! I love listning to Revive our Hearts in the mornings as I get ready for school. They are challenging their listeners to read through the Bible this year. I've read through the Bible before but it's been a year so I am doing it again and am already in the middle of Exodus. I did start a workout plan just before the New Year but am having to take a small break as I hurt the muscles around my right knee and they need to recover before I step back into the plan. I was doing a 6-week run and weight plan and look forward to ending it well after resting a few weeks. Finally, I do want to grow in my German language skills so I am taking another semester of German (about 10 weeks) then am planning on searching for a language partner who I can meet up with every other week. I am looking forward to growing in my spiritual walk, taking care of myself physically, and growing in my German this next year! Thanks for stopping by if you got this far! :)

Remembering Christmas' Past

 

Ahh, Christmas at home. This would have been taken in the early 1980's. 83 or 84? Daniel and Josh aren't born yet. This was once upon a time when grandpa and grandma Ramse drove to our home for Christmas. Uncle Ben came with them and grandma Aasboe drove from Osakis. So much wood paneling! ;)

Once upon a time, it was important to have curly hair for church and pictures. Mom would put me in curlers and I would have a somewhat uncomfortable night before excitedly pulling out the curlers to have curly hair for a day. She also made my Christmas dresses. I remember one dress (not the one picutred) that had ruffles and would spin out with me when I would twirl. Unfortunately, she had left a few sewing pins and I discovered uncomfortable pokiness when at church so went to the kitchen to find her so she could help remove those few pins. The photo above was taken in 1986. Josh was a year old, Daniel was 4, Nathan was 6 and I was 8.

These pictures (above and three below) look like another Christmas spent at home. Grandma Aasboe and aunt Joanie came to spend it with us. I remember waiting as they would usually call before heading out and I would continually ask if how far out they were. It would take grandma Aasboe 3 hours to drive from Osakis and Joanie 4 hours to drive from the Cities. I would get super excited as they got closer and hang close to the front door and driveway to keep an eye out. 

With old pictures comes bad coloring at times. :) Do you see the stockings? When we were really young, we didn't use the stockings but I discovered them when helping to decorate one year and insisted that they would be put up by our wood stove in the basement. I was all for more presents! I also remember putting a chocolate bar in each stocking then walking away and realizing they were right by our wood stove which was nice and warm! I pulled out half melted chocolate, put them in the freezer then replaced them right before we opened our stockings. 

I'm not sure if that TV was in color or B&W. I think I was around 13 when we finally got a color TV. 

Mom, being silly. :)

The picture above and the four below are Christmas in McIntosh at the Ramse farm. This was in the house that grandpa Ramse and uncle Ben built. It looks like grandma decorated the tops of the windows with some festive garland. 

Grandpa Ramse's violin is hanging on the wall behind my dad. 

The photo above is also from that same Christmas at the farm. Grandma Aasboe would drive out to spend Christmas with all of us. She is on the left. Grandma Ramse is in blue in the middle and with white hair. She would make krumkake for Christmas before we would all show up. My favorite was her molasses cookies! 

I remember Nathan and uncle Ben would have these (boring) conversations about the latest electronics item or gadget they were interested in. 

The picture below was taken outside of my grandma Aasboe's home in Osakis in 1995. 

This photo below for our Christmas card was taken in 1996. I began attending Hillcrest Lutheran Academy that fall. 

Christmas at Home with one of Dad's favorite singers

 Christmas at our house consisted of baking cookies with mom, dad setting up the Christmas tree (real, usually) and sometimes tying it when it struggled to stay straight in the tree holder. We cleaned the house, decorated the tree with multi-colored lights, sometimes tinsel, usually with garlands, bulbs, and special ornaments. I still have (in storage) a special Christmas bulb that says "Baby's 1st Christmas" on it. The tree was usually in the living room upstairs. I loved it when we would turn off the lights and the tree lights shone in the darkness. When we were younger, dad put lights on the front of the house as well. 

The anticipation of grandparents (grandpa and grandma Ramse and/or grandma Aasboe) coming and my aunt Joanie was enough motivation to get us all cleaning the house! The excitement was catching! 

One of my favorite memories was when my dad would put on records and the reel-to-reel. One of his favorite records to play around Christmas was Evie Tornquist's Christmas album. As I was reading an advent devotional yesterday evening and singing some Christmas hymns, I was reminded of Evie and found her album on YouTube. As I listened and sang, I still knew the words even though I haven't listened to her in years! I thought that I would share the album with you. If you enjoy some good steel guitar and music from the 70's, you may enjoy her! My favorite songs were "Come on, Ring those bells" and "One Small Child".